Front opening watch display box



Feb. 2, 1954 F. E. BLOD ETAL FRONT OPENING WATCH DISPLAY BOX F11 ed Sept 21 IN V EN TOR AT TO RN EYS Patented Feb. 2, 1954 FRONT OPENING WATCH DISPLAY BOX Francis EjBlod, Tuckahoe, N. Y., and Alfred M. Blumenfeld, Hackensack,- N J .,'-assi'g'nors to The Gruen WatchCompany, Cincinnati, Ohio, a

corporation of Ohio Application September 21,1950; Serial No. 186,072

3 Claims. 1

This invention relates to boxes designed for the'display of watches, jewelry and the like and is particularly concerned with a'novel structure for the display of curved back watches in which -a new mechanical arrangement provides an extremely effective display of the merchandise.

Boxes, of the type to which this invention relates, are extensively used in retail stores for the display of watches and other items of jewelry either in a show-case or "in a display window. -In a-box of this type the watch strap is fastened over a watch holder-which supports the case and band. It is desirable from the sales viewpoint 'that'when being displayed the watch and strap are arranged so that they look as if they were being worn. Also in order that the customer may more closely inspect the watch and strap it is desirable that the holder be easily removed from the box. Since these boxes also serve as a storfectiveness of the-display are'extremely important sales factors for this type of merchandise. It'isessential therefore that the display boxes-be of attractive appearance both on the exterior and interior and it is equally important that the boxes provide an effective display of themerchandise.

Previous attempts have been made to provide boxes combining these desiderata butnone have succeeded in combining all of them. Boxes have been provided with an elevatable tray which is automatically positioned when the-box is opened. However, these boxes display the watch and strap mounted horizontally on a fiat card, thus losing much of the effectiveness of the display because the strap does not have theappearance of being placed upon a wrist and furthermore the watch face is rotated 90 from the direction in which it is normally viewed making it difficult to read thenumerals, and so'forth. Other boxes play box in which the strap of the watch being .2 displayed is fastened around the watch holder-in a vertical plane,-thus'allowing-the watch-face to be'v-iewe'd in it normal'position.

An additional object of this invention is to provide a display box in which the watch or jewelry beingdisplayed is so positioned-that the watch face or principal ornamentation is presentedinthe fullest viewgand' the strapo'r band is supported so as to simulate the appearance of being worn.

A furtherobject of this i'nvention'is to provide a box in'which a novel mechanical'ar'rangement operates to automatically align "the "mechandise in the desired display position as the box is opened.

Another object is to provide means for automatically positioning the mer chandiseon display which means are compact and simpleyrequiring a minimum of parts; yet are dependable inoperation.

A further object is to provide a display box adapted for storage and display of watches, jewelry and the like which has an attractive and unusual appearance both when the boxis closed and when-it is open.

Another objectis'to provide a display boxzparticularly for curved wrist -watches in which the watch with'its associated band is adapted to be displayed on a watch'holder which-can be readily inserted in or removed fromthe'box without detaching the Watch from the holder.

Other objects and advantages will=be-apparcnt from the detailed descriptionof the invention when considered in conjunction with the drawings in which:

Figure 1 is an end elevation-of the box in-athe closed position.

Figure 2 is an end elevation view ofthe-boxin the open or display position.

Figure 3 is a front elevation-of the'samebox.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary sectional view of thebox in the open position showing the watch holder inelevation and the base and dropshells in section.

Figure 51s a fragmentary sectional view of the drop shell-illustrating details of its construction not shown in Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a longitudinal sectional viewof the watch holder taken along the line 6-5 of F-igure'4.

Figure 7 is-a transversecross-sectionalview-of the watch vholder'ta-ken along line 1-1 of Fig- "ure 6.

FiQHIB'B is a'top-planview of the shaft before assembly.

porting the watch case.

As shown in Figures 2 and 3, this invention essentially comprises a display box having a base shell ID, a drop shell II, and a watch holder I2. The base shell I6 is provided with a flat portion I3 making it adaptable to stand upon a flat surface such as a shelf or display counter. The base shell I and drop shell II are hingedly mounted with respect to each other by means of ball bearings I4 engaged in the bearing pivots I5 interposed between the adjacent portions of the two shells. The watch holder I2 upon which the watch is displayed is rotatably mounted within the drop shell I I.

The detailed construction of a typical embodiment of my invention is best shown in Figures 4 through 8.

The watch holder I2 is generally elliptical in cross section, with one of the ends I6 of the ellipse being somewhat flattened in order to more closely conform to the contour of the watch case, which is placed over it.

When displaying the watch, the strap is secured around the periphery of the watch holder so that the watch case is held firmly against the flattened end It of the holder I2 and the strap is supported so that it has the appearance of being worn on a wrist.

The watch holder I2 is further provided with a slot II running longitudinally through it at a point removed from the flattened portion sup- Bearing shoulders I 8 are provided around the periphery of the slot. These bearing shoulders I8 engage the shaft I9 between the stopshoulders 28 on the shaft which are adapted to prevent any transverse movement of the watch holder. At each end of the shaft teardrop lugs 2i extend perpendicular to it. These lugs 2| are adapted to engage in the socket 22 (Figure 5) projecting inwardly from each end of the drop shell I I.

The configuration of these lugs 2I and the sockets 22 into which they are fitted prevents any rotation of the shaft 2 with respect to the drop shell. It does however, permit the shaft I9 to be readily lifted from engagement with the drop shell II when it is desired to remove the watch holder I2 from the box.

The shaft I9 is assembled from two end lugs 2|, an aligning bar 23, and two wedge plates 25. The aligning bar 23, of rectangular cross section, has a projecting head 25 extending longitudinally along its upper edge. During assembly this bar 23 is first secured to the interior of one of the lugs 2I and is then inserted through the slot I? in the watch holder until the stop shoulder 20 abuts the edge of the bearin surface I8 of the watch holder I2. The other lug 2!, having two wedge plates 24 secured to it, is then inserted in the slot ll from the other end and over the aligning bar 23 in such a manner that the wedge plates engage the bar 23 upon opposite sides. The bar and wedge plates are secured by some adhesive means to complete the shaft assembly.

The interior of the watch holder I2 is provided with a flange 26 having a slot 27 adapted to receive the loop or bent end of the aligning spring 28. This spring 28 consist of a piece of spring wire or strip of spring metal bent in the middle so as to form a narrow elongated U having a small loop at the bent end and a collar 29 slidably fitted over the spring to permit the adjustment of the tension between its open ends. The open ends of the spring are adapted to be fitted over the aligning bar 23 of the shaft which turns between the two ends as the watch holder I2 rotates about end lugs 2| of the shaft.

4 the shaft I9. The action of the spring 28 is such that it tends to align the axis of the spring, and hence the watch holder I2, with the position assumed by the aligning bar 23 as shown in Figure 7.

In operation after the watch has been fastened over the watch holder I2, the holder is placed in the drop shell II by inserting the lugs 2I in the sockets 22 provided. The position of the shaft I9 is thus fixed in that it cannot rotate with respect to the drop shell II. The direction in which the shaft aligning bar 23 is pointed is also fixed as the bar is permanently secured to the The position assumed by the aligning bar 23 in turn determines the position of the watch holder I2 since the action of the spring 28 riding over the aligning bar 23 is such that the axis of the spring 28 tends to coincide with the direction taken by the aligning bar 23. Thus with the box open, the watch holder I2 is supported by the spring 28 riding on the aligning bar, at a pre-determined angle to the base shell Ill. Thewatch face mounted upon the flattened end It of the watch holder is accordingly held in the most advantageous position for display.

As the box is closed the drop shell II rotates about the bearings I5 causing the shaft I9 to turn with it. The watch holder I2 is caused to rotate until it comes in contact with the rear surface 30 of the base shell Ill. Further rotation of the watch holder i2 is then prevented. However, the drop shell I I can be further closed since the shaft is can be rotated with respect to the watch holder I2 if enough force is applied to cause the aligning bar 23 to spread apart the open ends of the alignin spring 28. After the drop shell II has been'rotated into the closed position it is held there by the action of the lip 3| engaging the groove 32 in the base shell l0. When the box is opened the reverse action takes place. The drop shell II is rotated downwardly about the bearings I 5 causing the shaft I9 to rotate with it. Under the tendency of the spring 23 to become aligned'with the direction taken by the aligning bar 22 the watch holder I2 also rotates downwardly until the drop shell has opened to its extreme position. With the box open the watch holder I2 is supported by the spring in its angulated display position.

The base shell II} and drop shell are preferably formed from a plastic whichprovides an exceptionally pleasing exterior appearance. The interior preferably includes a lining which presents a soft background for the merchandise and conceals any irregularities in the interior surface of the shells. The watch holder periphery also is preferably lined to enhance the attractiveness of the display.

The construction is of an extremely simple nature comprising plastic parts which may be readily molded, standard ball bearings and an easily formed spring. Such a box is extremely well adapted for use by retail jewelers since the watch may be pre-fastened to the holder and the holder in turn may be quickly and easily removed from or inserted into a box, thus providing not only an effective display but a simple means for handling the merchandise for' inspection by the customer.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. A display box for watches and the like comprising a base shell, a drop shell, said shells being hingedly interconnectedysockets projecting inwardly from said drop shell, a shaft. said shaft including a lug extending from each end thereof and an aligning bar disposed intermediate said lugs, said lugs residing within said sockets and being confined within said sockets to prevent rotation of said lugs relative to said sockets, a watch holder, said watch holder being rotatably mounted upon said shaft, said aligning bar having a body of substantially rectangular cross section and a projecting head extending longitudinally at its upper edge said aligning bar being disposed so that its head and body are angularly oriented relative to said drop shell, a spring of generally U-shaped configuration, the closed end of said spring being rigidly secured to said watch holder, the other end of said spring embracing said aligning bar and engaging the head and body thereof, whereby the spring is effective to urge the watch holder into a display position in which the watch holder is angularly disposed with respect to said drop shell.

2. A display box for watches and the like comprising a base shell, a drop shell, said shells being pivotally interconnected, a shaft, a watch holder rotatably supported on said shaft, mounting means associated with one of said shells, said shaft being confined within said mounting means to prevent rotation of the shaft relative thereto, said shaft including an aligning bar having a portion of substantially rectangular cross section and a projecting head at its upper edge said shaft being supported in said mounting means so that the head and rectangular portion of said aligning bar extend angularly relative to the shell associated with said mounting means, a spring of generally U-shaped configuration, said spring being rigidly secured to said watch holder, the open end of said spring embracing said aligning bar and being effective to urge said watch holder toward a display position in which said watch holder is angularly disposed with respect to the 6 shell having the mounting means associated therewith.

3. A display box for watches and the like comprising a base shell, a drop shell, said shells bein hingedly interconnected, sockets projecting inwardly from said drop shell, a shaft, said shaft including a lug extending from each end thereof and an aligning bar disposed intermediate said lugs, said lugs being confined within said sockets to prevent rotation of the lugs relative to said sockets, said lugs being insertable and removable from said sockets by slidable movement relative thereto, a watch holder, said watch holder being rotatably mounted upon said shaft, said aligning bar having a body of substantially rectangular cross section and a projecting head extending longitudinally at its upper edge said aligning bar being disposed so that its head and body are angularly oriented relative to said drop shell, a spring of generally U-shaped configuration, the closed end of said spring being rigidly secured to said watch holder, the other end of said spring embracing said aligning bar and engaging the head and body thereof, whereby the spring is effective to urge the watch holder into a display position in which the watch holder is angularly disposed with respect to said drop shell.

FRANCIS E. BLOD. ALFRED M. BLUMENFELD.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 47,430 Kolb Apr. 25, 1865 1,240,671 Catala Sept. 18, 1917 2,178,652 Shields Nov. 7, 1939 2,205,969 Boenecke June 25, 1940 2,262,472 Sloan Nov. 11, 1941 2,347,981 Apfelbaum May 2, 1944 

